Front Hatch Won't Stay Open

[Chuck.Philips]

Last week staying on the boat over on Catalina Island, we woke up to the front hatch being closed.  When I opened it, it immediately closed--any suggestions on how to fix this problem?

Thanks
Chuck Philips
#1725

[Jim Hardesty]

Last week staying on the boat over on Catalina Island, we woke up to the front hatch being closed.  When I opened it, it immediately closed--any suggestions on how to fix this problem?

Chuck,
Don't remember exactly but like all the hatches and ports with friction hinges there's small allen set screws at one end of the hinge, possibly under some trim.  Tighten both hinges a little at a time till you're happy with the set.  Only tighten a very little at a time, a sixteenth of a turn, and the screws should not have much torque.  Only a little more than snug. 
In a rough anchorage you still may have to prop up the hatch to stay half open.
Hope this helped,
Jim

[Ron Hill]

Chuck : You might have to do what the C34 MK1s do that have the "Roll Stop Hatches". 

We have "Window Sticks" that hold the hatch in place when the hatch is open. I have two - one for open at 10 degrees (straight out) and one for 45 degrees.

A thought

[awesome34]

Chuck,

Here is a photo of some "Window Sticks" that Ron mentioned. Looks like my PO probably made them out of 1" PVC and some rubber chair leg caps.

-Eric

[Noah]

I used to use a stick but this year I rebuilt my Lewmar trapezoidal hatch with a new rollstop hinge rebuild kit from Hatch Masters/Select Plastics. It was about 90% successful. It stays open in most positions, but not all. You sure don't want to have your fingers between it and the deck when it decides to fall. The stick may make a comeback on my boat.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : I found the KEY to keeping the "Roll Stop" hatches from "loosing their memory".  NEVER NEVER after rebuilding the hatch hinges let the hatch in any other position but the rollstop prepositions. Straight out (10 degrees open), 45 degrees and straight up.
I used to "crack" the hatch open by turning the closing locking "ears" closed when the hatch was open and setting it down on those "ears". This screwed up the pre positioned notches in that rubber piece inside the new hinges by trying to make a new stop!!

A few thoughts

[Noah]

 Ron: what do you mean by "Straight out"?

[waughoo]

I believe Ron is referring to the first roll stop hatch pissition which has the hatch nearly horizontal... "straight out".

[Ron Hill]

Alex : You are right ON!!

A thought